In relation to The Canberra Times online post today (June 20), ACT Policing treats allegations such as this seriously and this matter is subject to an internal investigation by AFP Professional Standards (PRS).

ACT Policing does not condone cruelty to animals in any form. All officers are required to report all use of force actions, and the reported use of oleoresin capsicum spray is part of this requirement.

The AFP operational safety guidelines in relation to use of force can be found here: http://ow.ly/yfeaO

As this investigation remains ongoing, it would not be appropriate for ACT Policing to comment any further.

The Canberra Times article features CCTV of a chained dog being pepper sprayed, taunted, and having a stick thrown at it by officers.

UPDATE: A further tweet from The Chief Police Officer via ACT Policing:

Let me reassure #Canberra community we do not condone animal cruelty in any form & allegations of misconduct will be examined. A/CPO Pryce

UPDATE: The RSPCA is also communicating only via social media and has made this statement on facebook:

We have received a number of inquiries about a video posted by the Canberra Times today. The AFP are RSPCA-ACT’s trusted partner in preventing cruelty to animals on a normal daily basis. Today, they even supported us in a very difficult inspectorate case.

However, this video shows inexcusable behaviour towards a dog that is tethered and obviously cannot hurt that officer. What we don’t know is why he did this. We only know after speaking with the AFP that the animal did not require veterinarian treatment for this officer’s actions.

We also know that the AFP are currently conducting internal investigations into the matter, and we are prepared to support them as required to ensure that the welfare of this and any other animal is protected regardless of who might be involved.

16 Responses to “Police respond to video of their officer pepper spraying a chained dog”

I totally agree with most of the comments. I am an AFP member and I am totally disgusted by the actions of all of the officers involved. But please remember we are NOT all like this. Don’t tar us all with the same brush.

As a member of the AFP I would think that you’d be smarter than to comment on an active investigation in a public forum. Your lack of esprit de corps is astounding, I bet you have many friends. Well, maybe less now.

Read it properly Alison-he (“Diamond Steve”) was criticising a principled member of the AFP (“A”) not the perpetrator – more concerned with some distorted code of honour that backs up a colleague no matter how disgracefully they behave.

Yes Karen, I realised after I posted that I had used the wrong name and then couldn’t remove it. No need to get nasty it was an honest mistake. The content of my post made it obvious that I was disgusted by the AFP behaviour towards the dog. Get back in your box.

The public need reassurance that all Police aren’t psychopaths – “A’s” comments are helpful and public spirited – the police “esprit de corps” is what worries most people. It’s comforting to know that at some are capable of individual and professional thinking and behaviour .

Good Steve, if you ever see it you should report it….just because the person might also be a member of the AFP doesn’t mean they should be allowed to duck and dodge the LAW the thing you guys are supposed to represent and uphold, I can guarantee I, a civilian wouldn’t have been treated the same way had I have done the same things that officer had done in the video and shame on the other officers for condoning and supporting his actions

This incident was originally only recorded as a Level One Public Relations Complaint and was only upgraded when a lawyer intervened, also the Police Officer involved was only suspended from front line duty after the story hit the media – which would also seem to be the reason that Police are only now going into damage control. The officer should be outright suspended to demonstrate that the Police are taking this as seriously as they claim – action not just words.

That is a given. Its rare this strand of policeman understands much at all. What a bunch of buffoons. AFP have so much work to do over and above getting matters before the courts. Im not sure that many are too surprised by the behaviour here but going a step further and hurting animals? Setting the integrity back about a thousand years. Unbelievable.